Best Places to Visit in Saudi Arabia 2026: AlUla, the Red Sea and Beyond

Saudi Arabia opened to tourism in 2019 and in five short years has built a destination that rivals anywhere on earth for ambition and scale. These are the regions to prioritise in 2026. AlUla The crown jewel. Hegra (Mada''in Salih) — Saudi''s first UNESCO World Heritage site, a Nabataean rock-carved city as dramatic as Petra and far less crowded. Stay at Habitas AlUla or the cave-suite Banyan Tree, dine at Maraya (the world''s largest mirrored building), hot-air balloon over the sandstone canyons at dawn. The Red Sea Project The world''s most sustainable luxury tourism destination — 22 islands, six inland resorts, regenerative tourism principles. Six Senses Southern Dunes, St. Regis Red Sea, Nujuma Ritz-Carlton Reserve and Desert Rock are open, with Amaala coming in 2027. Riyadh The capital is unrecognisable from a decade ago. Diriyah (the original Saudi capital, now a UNESCO site under restoration), the Edge of the World cliff at sunset, Boulevard World, Riyadh Season''s winter festival, and a serious dining scene from L''Atelier de Joël Robuchon to local Najdi cuisine. Jeddah and the Corniche The historic gateway to Mecca. Wander UNESCO-listed Al-Balad''s coral-stone houses, dive the Red Sea reefs, and watch the world''s tallest fountain at the Corniche. Asir and Abha The cool, green south. Mountain villages painted in indigo, Rijal Almaa''s stone towers, and the cable car down to Habala. NEOM and Sindalah The luxury island resort Sindalah is now open — superyacht marina, beach club, golf course. The first preview of the NEOM mega-project. When to go October to March. Avoid June–August in the central and western regions (45°C+); the Asir mountains stay pleasant year-round. Visa eVisa for 66 nationalities — SAR 535, 1-year multi-entry, 90 days per stay. GCC residents (any nationality) can also apply on arrival. How we arrange it West Gulf Agency handles your Saudi eVisa, private guides, internal flights, luxury accommodation, AlUla heritage permits and chauffeured experiences across the Kingdom. Plan your Saudi journey: /tourism Apply for your visa: /visas See the most ambitious country on earth — properly.